South Africa Travel and Tourism Market 2016 Forecasts & Trends in New Market Research Reports at ReportsnReports.com

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Get detailed market analysis, information and insights on the South African travel and tourism industry in “The Future of Travel and Tourism in South Africa to 2016” and “Travel and Tourism in South Africa” market research reports.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB)October 08, 2012

According to the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index (TTCI) 2011, South Africa was ranked the most popular world heritage natural site, while Cape Town was the top tourist destination in the world according to the Traveler’s Choice Destination Awards 2011. South Africa’s travel and tourism industry contributed 8.7% to the national GDP in 2011 and represented 4.6% of the country’s total employment in the same year. Investment in travel and tourism in South Africa accounted for 7.2% of the nation’s total investments in 2011. Total tourist volume, including domestic and international tourists, fell from 34.9 million in 2010 to 32.5 million in 2011, mainly due to the global financial crisis, which resulted in job losses and reduced levels of consumer confidence. However, tourist volume grew in 2010 due to the country’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

South Africa ranks as the second-most visited tourism destination in Africa, after Morocco. The country’s travel and tourism industry registered modest growth in 2011, following a strong performance in 2010 after hosting the FIFA World Cup.

In South Africa, domestic tourist volume decreased to 27.02 million trips in 2011, compared to 35.9 million in 2007, a fall of 24.7%. The primary reason behind the steep decline was the economic slowdown that started in 2008.

The average expenditure per domestic tourist increased in 2011. The transportation and accommodation sectors contributed the most to domestic tourism revenue.

Due to bleak economic conditions around the world, especially in developed countries, inbound tourism to South Africa declined in 2009. However, the FIFA World Cup was the major contributing factor for an increase in inbound tourist arrivals during 2010.

After declining in 2009, the outbound tourism recovered quickly in 2010–2011 due to a strong rebound in leisure and business travel and the appreciation of the Rand against major currencies.

The global financial crisis significantly affected the aviation industry in 2008 and 2009.

Expected rises in demand for hotel rooms during the 2010 FIFA World Cup attracted many local as well as foreign investors to the hotel sector. The number of hotels increased to 1,370 in 2010. However, due to an over supply of hotel rooms and excess construction of hotel buildings, South Africa’s room occupancy rate decreased in the same year.

South Africa’s car rental market is growing and generated revenue of ZAR3 billion (US$417.4 million) in 2011, which represented a CAGR of 7.27% during the review period. The key drivers for growth were a rise in business and leisure tourism and increased passenger flow at airports.

South Africans mainly book their travel through travel agents or online travel sites. Direct booking channels are becoming more prominent due to efforts by airlines to lower distribution costs. The growing e-commerce sector is making it essential for travel agents and tour operators to adopt self-booking tools to remain competitive. Despite the growth in online travel bookings, senior citizens and those in the lower income groups still continue to purchase trips from traditional channels.

South African tourism received a major boost in 2011 after one of its major tourist attractions, Table Mountain, was provisionally named as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The accolade came at a time when growth in the number of arrivals in the country was falling, although significant growth in arrival numbers is expected over the forecast period. The report “Travel and Tourism in South Africa” offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest market size data 2007-2011, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new legislative, technology or pricing issues. Background information on disposable income, annual leave and holiday taking habits is also included. Forecasts to 2016 illustrate how the market is set to change.